Arcilla opens PCA Open title defense with straight-sets win

MANILA – Defending champion Johnny Arcilla outclassed qualifier John Jeremiah Tomacruz, 6-2, 6-2, at the start of the 39th Philippine Columbian Association Open Tennis Championships at the PCA indoor shell court in Paco, Manila on Saturday.

The 42-year-old Arcilla is seeking a 10th PCA title and defending the crown he won in 2019 before the pandemic shelved the tournament.

Qualifier Marco Macalintal rallied past Exequiel Jucutan, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, to join No. 3 Jed Olivarez in the next round of the men's singles event offering PHP200,000 in cash to the champion.

Macalintal will be up against Norman Enriquez, who outplayed Kristian Tesorio, 5-7, 7-6, 6-4.

Olivarez, who played in the Vietnam Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in May, eliminated qualifier Richard Bautista, 6-1, 6-3, to advance against Noel Damian, a 6-1, 7-5 winner over qualifier Stephen Zion Guia.

In other matches, No. 4 Elbert Anasta defeated Mateo Rivas, 6-3, 6-2; No. 5 Muthu Aashitiya Senthilkumar of India outsteadied Loucas Fernandez, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6; No. 6 Fritz Verdad clobbered RJ Virrey, 6-0, 6-2; No. 7 Leander Lazaro downed Elvin Geluz, 6-1, 6-3; No. 8 Jose Antonio Tria demolished Stefano Gurria, 6-1, 6-1; and No. 9 Ronard Joven won over Eurydice Gaspar, 6-4, 5-0 (retired).

Lazaro will next face former national player Joseph Victorino, a 6-1, 6-2 winner over Bryan Saaranas.

Other first-round winners were Russel Arcilla over Christian Lopez, 7-6, 6-1; John Renest Sonsona over Jed Labasano, 6-0, 6-1; Kyle Parpan over Al Quiza, 6-2, 6-2; Niel Tangalin over Aljhon Talatayod, 6-4, 6-4; Andrei Jarata over John Altiche, 6-2, 7-6; Gabriel Tiamson over Jeric Accion, 6-3, 6-3; Joshua Kinaadman over qualifier Hilbert San Jose, 6-1, 6-2; Jose Maria Pague over Vince Tugade, 6-1, 6-4; Guillermo Olaso over Jarel Edangga, 6-1, 6-3; Alberto Villamor over Manuel Banzon, 6-0, 6-1; Angelo Esguerra over Rafael Liangco, 6-4, 2-6, 6-1; Heinz Asian Carbonilla over qualifier Lance Jac Fernandez, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3; and Jude Ceniza over Rucel Cero, 6-1, 6-3.

Competition in the women's singles division will begin on Monday with top seed Marian Capadocia setting her sights on an eighth crown.

The two-time SEA Games bronze medalist beat Jenaila Rose Prulla, 6-1, 6-0, to claim her seventh title three years ago.

Prulla is seeded No. 2 this year, followed by Althea Faye Ong, Mikaela Vicencio, Carlyn Blessy Guarde, Alyssa Mae Bornia, Alexa Joy Milliam, and Angeline Alcala.

The women's singles champion will receive PHP100,000 while in the doubles category, the winners will get PHP70,000 (men's) and PHP35,000 (women's). (PNA)